Santee candidates face Aug. 7 deadline for 2026 City Council races

Santee’s nomination deadline is approaching for two City Council contests on the November 3, 2026, general municipal election ballot.

Prospective candidates for the District 1 and District 2 races must pull and file nomination papers with the Santee City Clerk by 1 p.m. Friday, August 7. The election will fill one four-year Council seat in each district.

Names currently listed by district

The City of Santee’s 2026 candidate-interest list names:

• District 1: Matthew G. Rascon and Rob T. McNelis
• District 2: Edward W. Vandiver Jr. and Ronn Hall

The document is not a final official candidate roster. It states that a person is not an official candidate until nomination papers are filed and verified by the City Clerk’s Office.

That distinction matters through the August 7 deadline. The list records people who have expressed an intention to run, but it does not by itself establish that every person listed has completed the nomination process or will appear on the ballot. The list also shows filing and verification entries for some individuals, but the city’s warning about official candidacy still applies.

Filing period runs through Aug. 7

Santee’s nomination period began July 13 and ends August 7 at 1 p.m. The city directs prospective candidates to contact the City Clerk to schedule an appointment at cityclerk@cityofsanteeca.gov or 619-258-4100, extension 116.

The San Diego County Registrar of Voters confirms that the filing period for the November 3 general election runs from July 13 through August 7. County guidance also says city-office candidates should contact their respective city clerk. The county’s general candidate FAQ lists a 5 p.m. deadline for filings handled through the Registrar, while Santee’s election page sets the local City Clerk cutoff at 1 p.m.

For Santee City Council candidates, the city’s 1 p.m. deadline is the applicable cutoff for the municipal filing process.

How residents can track the races

Residents can monitor updates through the City of Santee’s Elections and How to Vote page and the 2026 candidate-interest documents. The city says additional information will be provided as election filing deadlines occur.

The November election will determine who represents Districts 1 and 2 on the Santee City Council for four-year terms. The final lineup will depend on which prospective candidates complete the required filing process and have their nomination papers verified.

Sources

• City of Santee Elections and How to Vote
• San Diego County Registrar of Voters Candidate Filing